SE535114C2 - Radio frequency signal switching unit comprising an electronically controllable component - Google Patents

Description

25 30 535 'Will 2 Due to its precisely defined purpose of use, the prior art RF SSUs have been manufactured in very small series or even as single pieces. If the determinations regarding a particular type of radio equipment change or if the radio equipment manufactured on any production line is replaced, the RF SSUs used in the testing must be reconfigured. For those using the prior art, this has typically meant a change of "hardware" in the RF SSU device itself, which causes costs and makes reconfiguration slow. Another known disadvantage of the state of the art is the general investment intensity of the testing systems. The testing system is a whole which, in addition to the coupling unit, comprises a large number of specialized measuring devices, which have typically had to be selected and adapted to each other separately for each testing system.

One goal of the present invention is to present a radio frequency signal switching unit. which, compared with the state of the art, provides more flexibility for the testing system's planning and implementation. One goal of the invention is also to present a radio frequency signal switching unit, which reduces the need for investment caused by the construction and maintenance of the testing system as a whole. Another goal of the invention is to present a radio frequency signal switching unit, which helps to reduce the delay due to changes made in the testing. One goal of the invention is also to present a radio frequency signal switching unit, which simplifies the investigation of exceptional situations.

The goals of the achievement are achieved by planning the architecture of the RF SSU device to be modular and by building in a sufficient amount of its own intelligence and electronically controllable internal functions.

The coupling unit according to the invention is characterized by what has been said in the characterizing part of the independent patent claim. Some advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

The current RF SSU can be said to contain RF intelligence. By this broadly defined term is meant, for example, the following exemplary properties: - The RF SSU device can either completely automatically or only with the help of simple actions from a user test and diagnose its own function concerning the connection of radio frequency signals and react to what the testing shows about the device's own function 10 15 20 25 30 535 'H4 - The RF SSU device can adapt its own function, either controlled by an external command or on its own initiative, when there are changes in the conditions of the testing - the RF SSU device can be used to provide control commands for other devices belonging to the testing system - The RF SSU device contains a sequence memory and it is arranged to execute action sequences stored in the sequence memory, which apply to the execution of the test.

In order to be in accordance with the present invention, the RF SSU does not have to contain all of the above-mentioned characteristics of RF intelligence, and on the other hand, an RF SSU according to the invention may in addition to the above-mentioned further contain other properties, which are included in RF intelligence.

By including RF intelligence in the RF SSU, many benefits are achieved.

Testing and diagnosing its own function means that the device can collect and maintain real-time information about whether it works as intended. For example, the propagation properties of the signal via any signal path created by the coupling matrix of the RF SSU can be measured, making the phenomena due only to the RF SSU easier to separate from those caused by the device to be tested, and eliminating their effect on the test result. With the help of the self-diagnosis, you can also follow the wear and tear of the couplings in the coupling mat, produce condition information about them and schedule their replacement so that the couplings are replaced then - but only when there is a need for their replacement. The parts of the same self-diagnostic arrangement can also be used to find out if the parts of the signal path are in order, which belong to the devices that are outside the RF SSU device. For example, a strong re-rectification of the radio frequency signal, which is caused by a faulty external device, can be observed in time, before it damages another device.

As the RF SSU contains electronically controllable filters, amplifiers and / or other parts that handle radio frequency signals, its function can be adapted to new frequency ranges without expensive and long-term replacement of parts. The pre-treatment of the signals in the RF SSU apparatus is advantageous, since it is thus possible to choose cheaper and more generally usable devices as measuring devices in the testing system. The ability to control other devices means that the RF SSU device can be set to control, for example, the robotics, which on the production line picks up the device to be tested to its place for testing and / or performs the necessary mechanical movements during the testing. In a more comprehensive testing system, a particular RF SSU can also function as a master, which controls and controls other RF SSUs in the same system, which is in the slave position. The storage and execution of test sequences in the sequence memory of the RF SSU simplifies the requirements imposed on the central computer controlling the operation of the production line as a whole, as well as its programming.

Next, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the advantageous embodiments presented as examples and the accompanying fi guras, in which fi gur1 schematically shows a production line, which has a testing equipment, fi gur 2 shows an interaction between a coupling matrix and a controlling part, fi gur Fig. 3 shows the use of a signal source pre-testing of the coupling, embodiment, Figure 7 shows the use of the controlling part to control an external device, Figure 8 shows the modular structure of the RF SSU device and some parts, Figure 9 shows a part of a more comprehensive testing system, Figure 10 shows Storage of configuration information in memory, Figure 11 shows the delivery of configuration information to the master device, Figure 12 shows the execution of a change in the configuration information, Figure 13 shows the implementation of the changed configuration information, Figure 14 shows the execution of a change in the device configuration and Figure 15 shows the implementation of the information corresponding to the changed device configuration.

The same reference numbers are used in ur gurema for corresponding parts.

Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary production line, in which radios 101 are manufactured. At a point on the production line there is a test area 102.

When the radio apparatus 101 being manufactured arrives at the testing area 102, tests are performed on it which measures its ability to produce certain radio frequency signals and / or respond to certain radio frequency signals produced outside the radio apparatus. For testing, there is a testing equipment, 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'Will 5, one part of which is a radio frequency signal switching unit 103, which may be called an RF SSU for short. Of its parts, Figure 1 specifically shows a controllable coupling matrix 104, which can be used to controlly create connections between certain input and output connections, and a controlling part 105, which is arranged to control the creation of connections in the coupling matrix 104.

As part of the testing system, a measuring or analyzing apparatus 106 is shown schematically, the task of which is to measure or analyze any signal obtained from the radio apparatus to be tested, and an extreme signal source 107, the task of which is to produce any such radio frequency signal which is conducted. to the radio to be tested as part of the testing. In the lower part of the fi gure, a central information system 108 has been schematically shown, which controls and monitors saker your things concerning the function of the production line. It has bidirectional data transmission connections with the control part 105, the measuring and analyzing apparatus 106 and the extreme signal source 107. In addition, the figure assumes that the central information system 108 controls the transport of the radios being produced on the production line via a transport controller 109.

Figure 2 shows a more accurate interaction between the coupling matrix 104 and the controlling part in an exemplary situation. Figure 2 has shown a group of input terminals 201 and output terminals 202 of the RF SSU apparatus for conducting radio frequency signals to and away from the signal switching unit.

The connections between the input and output connections are made controlled in the switching matrix 104. It contains a group of electronically controllable radio frequency switches, of which the switch 203 has been shown as an example. The fact that the control part 105 has been arranged to control the creation of the connections in the connection matrix 104 means that the electronic control signals provided by the control part 105 determine which of the radio frequency switches the connection matrix 104 contains is in which position. In the example situation in the figure, it has been desired to create a connection between the sixth input connection counted from left to right and the seventh output connection counted from top to bottom, the control part 105 with an electronic control signal having set the switch 203 in a conductive state.

It is possible that it is present in the switching matrix 104 and along the signal paths leading to the one or more detectors for measuring a signal which has been arranged to pass through the switching matrix 104. In Figure 2, these detectors are represented by the directional switches 204 and 205, both of which produce a certain signal, which is a representative sample of the radio frequency signal passing in the transmission line along which the directional coupler is located. The control part 105 has been arranged to control the use of the information produced by the detectors. In Figure 2, it has been assumed that the signal from the directional couplers is passed to the control part 105, which can pass it on as such or which on the basis of it can create another signal, which describes the signal from the directional coupler, which is passed on from the control part. 105. The control part 105 can also take actions on its own initiative on the basis of the information from the directional switches, without any signal describing the signal from the directional switches having to be passed on.

A circuit breaker is not the only possible type of detector that can be used to measure a signal that is arranged to pass through the switching matrix.

Examples of other possible detectors are power dividers as well as current and voltage detectors, but also detectors that indirectly measure the signal, such as temperature detectors. This description does not limit the type of detectors used.

The description also does not limit how the detectors are physically realized.

The basic structure of the switching matrix can, for example, be such that it has a circuit board with low loss which is suitable for radio frequencies, to which circuit board the radio frequency switches have been attached and on whose surfaces and possibly in whose intermediate layer there are conductive areas. These create the crossover lines, along which the signals are routed between the input and output connections and the radio frequency switches. Circuit breakers and power distributors are easy to implement, for example by designing the conductive areas realized in the circuit board in a suitable manner. Detectors can also be realized as separate components, which are attached in suitable places in the circuit board. If the detectors are realized outside the actual coupling matrix. For example, detectors known per se can be used which can be integrated along the transmission lines or in connection with the connections.

Figure 2 shows data transmission connections 206 and 207 from outside the RF SSU to the control part 105 and out therefrom. One possibility is thus that the control part 105 is arranged to lead the information produced with one or more detectors out of the RF SSU device as output information, which expresses the supply attenuation in the connection between a certain input and output connection and / or the response attenuation of the signal being conducted. via the connection in question. It is assumed, for example, that the power level of the signal passing in the coupling shown in Figure 2 is measured when it enters with the directional coupler 10 15 25 Aso 35 535 'H4 7 204 and again when it exits with the directional coupler 205. The difference between these measurements tells how much the signal was attenuated when it passed through the switching matrix 104. If the testing is intended to measure that the power level of any radio frequency signal obtained from a radio to be tested is within permissible limits, the reliability of the measurement is markedly improved if at the same time real-time information is obtained loss of the signal conduction caused by the coupling matrix of the RF SSU device.

From the information from the detectors, one can also draw conclusions about such things (attenuation, re-reflection, etc.), the real cause of which is not in the RF SSU device but outside it. The direction in which progressive signals are measured with the directional couplers depends on their polarity. From the prior art, electronically controllable directional switching arrangements are known, by means of which the controlling part 105 can choose whether it wants to measure a radio frequency signal which progresses from the input connection to the output connection or in the opposite direction. Other controllable or bidirectional detectors are also possible.

Actual measurements of the power level of the signal, which measurements belong as part of the testing of the apparatus to be tested, are usually not expedient to make with the detectors contained in the coupling matrix. Testing typically requires fairly good accuracy, and fabricating the detectors to be so accurate that sufficient accuracy is achieved with them would unnecessarily increase the manufacturing cost of the RF SSU. It pays to make the detectors so sensitive that the properties of the signal can be monitored with sufficient accuracy with them, so that the examples of the use of the detectors presented here are possible.

Measurements and the self-diagnosis of the RF SSU can also be made with signals that do not originate from outside the RF SSU. Figure 3 schematically shows an RF SSU apparatus having an internal signal source 301, which is arranged to produce radio frequency test signals. The control part 105 is arranged to test couplings created in the coupling matrix 104 by coupling the signal produced by the internal signal source 301 to a coupling created in the coupling matrix 104. In Figure 3 it has been assumed that the coupling matrix 104 contains switches for this use. of which a switch 302 has been shown as an example. The power level of the signal which has passed through the radio frequency switch 203 and other switching is also measured in this embodiment with a directional switch 205. The arrangement according to Figure 3 is special usable in the RF SSU device's self-diagnostics. The radio frequency couplers contained in the coupling matrix 104 are parts which are worn in use. In the prior art, it has been typical for the manufacturer of the radio frequency switch to announce a maximum usage time, either in time units or switching paths (or both), after which it no longer guarantees that the radio frequency switch works as intended. From the RF SSU devices in the state of the art, one knows per se a counter of switching paths, which counts how many switching paths each radio frequency coupler has accumulated. However, the radio frequency couplers have had to be replaced when the maximum service life has been met - without real information as to whether they would still be usable. On the other hand, some couplers can wear even faster than spatulas, whereby in solutions according to the state of the art they have caused a difficult-to-control error in the measurements.

If the self-diagnosis according to Figure 3 is made on at least some of the radio frequency switches and the connections made with them between two devices to be tested, for example during the time still required to replace a device to be tested, a real-time follow-up is obtained. of the condition of the radio frequency switch. The control part 105 can be programmed to function so that if the self-diagnosis shows that everything is in order, the testing of the radios can continue normally, even though the switchgear counters would show that the maximum usage time announced by the manufacturer has been met for any radio frequency switch. Similarly, the controlling member 105 can be programmed to operate so that if the self-diagnosis refers to abnormal operation or malfunction of any radio frequency coupler or other part of the switching matrix 104, an error report is produced and even a continuation of testing is prevented before the to get wrong or have got wrong has been replaced.

Another significant possibility, which arises in the use of an internal signal source 301, is the protection of an external device connected to the input and / or output connection of the RF SSU device in a situation where the characteristics of any connection are not within the permitted limits. For this use, the "properties of the coupling" can be understood broadly, so that they refer to all the properties that can be obtained by measuring signals passing in the coupling matrix 104. One can assume, for example, that as part of the testing one would have to coupling the signal produced by any radio frequency amplifier via the coupling matrix 104 to any load, for example an antenna. If the antenna has been faulty in a manner which causes a strong reaction in any frequency range of the signal fed into it, the consequence could be a reaction of such a high power level back to the said radio frequency amplifier that it would be damaged.

With the arrangement according to fi gur 3 you can realize a sequence, where the connection to the load to be tested (for example the antenna) is made first. but at first it is not the signal from the external radio frequency amplifier that is fed to it, but the signal from the internal signal source 301. Its power level and / or frequency can be varied in a controlled manner if necessary, while at the same time measuring the signal attenuation via the direction switch 205. deviation is observed during the measurement of the response attenuation, one can to the next safely perform the actual testing of the device to be tested by changing the position of the switch 302 and by switching the supply signal to come from the actual source, i.e. the extreme radio frequency amplifier. Figure 3 schematically shows a memory 303, in which the machine-readable instructions can be stored, by means of which the controlling part 105 realizes all the sequences in the measures shown in this description. The above-described testing of a coupling created in the coupling matrix is such a sequence, but with the sequence word one can also refer to a series of testing operations performed on the actual apparatus to be tested.

Figure 4 shows an example in the form of a diagram of how the control part is arranged to protect the external device connected to the input and / or output connection by preventing the use of such a connection created in the connection matrix, whose testing has shown that any of the characteristics of the coupling in question are not within the permissible limits. In step 401, a predetermined connection is created, for example, by closing the radio frequency connections in the switching matrix, via which a desired route is created from a certain input connection to a certain output connection. In step 402, the connection is tested, for example, so that with a certain switch it is ensured that the supply signal to the connection in any case comes from the internal signal source of the RF SSU apparatus. Step 402 may also include adjusting the power level and / or frequency of the supplied signal so that the desired power and / or frequency ranges are covered.

Step 403 means an exploration of whether the properties of the connector (broadly understood, including the external devices of the RF SSU connected to the connector) are within permissible limits. Here it is assumed that some guideline values have been stored in the memory (303 in Figure 3), and that with the measurements performed with the detectors in the coupling matrix, measurement results are obtained, which the controlling part compares with the stored guideline values. If all the tested properties are within permissible limits, the use of the coupling for testing the actual device to be tested according to step 404 is permitted. the central system and / or the user monitoring the testing, or - if the observed exceedance of a guideline value was clearly caused by a fault in the apparatus being tested - a command to fl surface the apparatus to be tested to the side from the production line.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an example of the use of the internal sequence memory of the RF SSU. In the control part 105 or at its disposal there is a sequence memory 303, which is arranged to store machine-readable instructions for performing test sequences. The control part 105 includes a microprocessor or controllers, which are arranged to read the instructions from the sequence memory 303 and control the operation of the RF SSU apparatus to perform the test sequence according to the instructions. In Figure 5, it is assumed that the instruction 501 has been read from the sequence memory, according to which the control part 105 has created a connection between the sixth input connection and the seventh output connection and started measuring the properties of the signal passing in the created connection. In Figure 6, it is assumed that the instruction 601 has been read from the sequence memory, according to which the controlling part 105 has created a connection between the fourth input connection and the fifth output connection and started measuring the properties of the signal passing in the created connection.

The use of the sequence memory in the RF SSU simplifies the planning and implementation of its central system, which controls the operation of the production line. In previous solutions, where the RF SSU device contained very little or no intelligence at all, the test sequences must be programmed explicitly as part of the central system's function. In the current solution, the central system only needs to give a command to start the testing and receive the test results from the controlling part of the RF SSU. The execution of the testing with its various successive method steps remains the responsibility of the RF SSU. In the examples discussed above, in order to preserve the graphical clarity, it has been assumed that only one connection would be made at a time in the connection matrix. It is clear, however, that in the RF SSU apparatus one can make fl your connections at once, 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'H4 11 different connections and the tests that take place via them can be running partly during different times or completely overlapping, the controlling the part can block the measurement and diagnosis of different connections in different ways and so on.

The control part is a programmable device and it can also be used to create and distribute control commands from the RF SSU device to the devices outside it. Figure 7 shows an example of how the RF SSU device has an output terminal 701 for controlling any device which belongs to the testing system but which in relation to the RF SSU device is an extreme device. In the example in Figure 7, the control part 105 is specially arranged to control the robotics 702 belonging to the testing system via the output connection 701, whose robotics task is to place the radio apparatus 101 to be tested in a testing stand, i.e. a so-called jig 703, for the time the testing is performed . Other examples of devices that belong to the testing system, but that are outside the RF SSU device, that can be controlled. with commands coming from the RF SSU device, for example, external measuring devices, extreme signal and impulse sources, artisanal visual devices that perform and / or monitor the testing, and test points located at any other point of the production line, where the performed testing is so simple , that it is not profitable to build your own testing system for its sake.

Figure 7 also shows an example of how connections of different types and for different uses the control part 105 can have. GPRS (General Packet Radio System) represents here a medium or long range wireless radio connection, with the help of which you can realize. for example, sending alarm messages over a cellular radio network to a predetermined telephone number. GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) is an example of a commonly used digital control bus for realizing local control connections. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is another example of a commonly used wired local bus. LAN (Local Area Network) represents any wired or wireless technology for realizing local control connections between different devices.

The lower group shown connections contain examples of connections on a more physical level, which can be used to conduct extreme signals to the control part 105 and away therefrom. DIO (Digital Input Output) means any input or output connection in digital format. ADC (Analog to Digital Conversion) means a connection, via which the control part 105 can receive an arbitrary signal in analog format, as in the control part or in an additional circuit 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'Pill 12 belonging to it is converted to digital format, so that its handling in the controlling part would be easier. DAC (Digital to Analog Conversion) means a connection, via which the control part 105 can produce a desired output signal in analog format, even though the processing of the signal in the control part 105 takes place digitally. DMM (Digital Multimeter) means a measuring connection, via which the control part 105 can receive an extreme voltage, current or other signal, the level of which it is to measure. RS-485 is a control bus according to a known bus standard, via which the control part 105 can communicate between other devices belonging to the same system. The same control bus can also be used to control the switching matrix 104, if it contains its own bus controller.

An advantageous possibility is to build the RF SSU device in such a way that it is able to load programs into the device to be tested in connection with the testing. This is referred to by the English term fl ashing, as the program is often loaded into the fl ash memory of the device to be tested. The programs to be loaded can be stored in the memory of the control part 105 and from one of the above-shown connections in the control part a connection can be made to the jig 703, via which the charging of the program can be realized.

Figure 8 is an example of the modular construction of an RF SSU device and of how different parts of a certain exemplary structure would be placed in the different floors of the device shelf.

The appliance shelf in question can, for example, be a standard 19 x 19-inch rack. The top floor shown in Figure 8 is the core unit of the RF SSU apparatus, which contains the switching matrix 104, the internal signal source 301, the processor part 801, the IO controller part 802 and the power source 803. Of these, the processor part 801 and the I / O controller part 802 form a whole. which has been referred to above as the control portion 105 and which additionally contains the sequence target 303 shown above. The power source 803 converts the supply current which the RF SSU apparatus receives to operating voltages which its various parts need, typically to 28 volts DC. The height of the core unit in the 19 x 19 inch rack can be, for example, one unit (1 U).

In Fig. 8, a measuring unit is shown next to the bottom, the height of which in the 19 x 19-inch rack can be from one to four units (1U-4U). It contains signal pre-processing devices for pre-processing a single signal, which is connected to the input connection of the RF SSU device and which can be routed from the RF SSU device to the external measuring device. Examples of signal preprocessing apparatus are a spunous measurement unit 811, a measuring apparatus for the difference between the transmission signals and the measuring signals 812 (Tx / Rx separation measurement unit) and a measuring apparatus containing a pre-amplifier with low bms level 813 (LNA, Low Noise Amplifier measurement unit). Different testing systems may require different signal processing devices, for which reason it is good if the RF SSU device has a good standard interface for modular addition of different signal processing devices to the RF SSU device. Parts of the standard type interface are mechanical accessibility to a suitably high floor in the equipment compartment as well as bus and signal connections for connecting control signals and measurement signals.

In 8 gur 8, the second lowest unit is a tunable unit, the height of the 19 x 19 inch rack can be from one to four units ”(1U-4U). It contains tunable parts, by means of which the function of the RF SSU can be modified to different frequency ranges. If, for example, in the radios to be tested, there is a new frequency range, such as a new frequency band for cellular radio systems being put into use, an RF SSU would, according to the state of the art, probably have undergone a marked conversion. The RF SSU device according to Figure 8 is made to function in the new frequency range by tuning the parts that the tunable unit contains to also function in the new frequency band if desired. Examples of devices contained in the tunable unit are electronically controllable 82 iters 821 and amplifiers 822, the operating frequency band of which at least one limit can be adjusted in response to a control command from the control part. Other electronically controllable devices 823 can also be used. As in the case of the measuring unit, it is good if the RF SSU has a standard type interface for modular addition of different tunable devices to the RF SSU tunable unit.

At the bottom of Figure 8, an instrument unit is shown, the exemplary parts of which are a measuring device for the power level 831 of the radio frequency signals, a spectral analyzer 832 and a signal source 833. It is advantageous if the devices belonging to the instrument unit observe a widely used instrumentation standard (PXI standard). PCI eXtension for instrumentation). In at least some of the testing systems, the so-called extreme measuring devices can be replaced with measuring devices that belong to the instrument unit and are thus inside the RF SSU device. As in the case of the measuring unit and the tunable unit, it is good if the RF SSU has a standard type interface for modular addition of different measuring devices to the instrument unit of the RF SSU. 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'H4 14 Figure 9 shows a part of a more comprehensive testing system, to which it belongs fl your RF SSU devices. In addition, Figure 9 shows a way to implement semi-automatic calibration or error correction of the RF SSU. Such a semi-automatic function is also possible in an RF SSU apparatus, whose coupling matrix does not have detectors for measuring a signal which is arranged to pass through the coupling matrix, or where said detectors are not for one reason or another desired or can be used for all desired calibration and / or error correction measurements.

An RF SSU device according to Figure 9, i.e. a signal switching unit 903, can be used for switching radio frequency signals between a device to be tested and the testing devices. Figure 9 shows four devices to be tested, of which reference is made to device 901. The abbreviation DUT comes from the words Device Under Test. As an example of the testing apparatus, a signal generator 906, a signal analyzer 907 and a low noise carrier 916 are shown.

The RF SSU 903 has a group of input and output terminals for conducting radio frequency signals into and out of the apparatus, and a controllable switching matrix 904 for controlled creation of connections between the input and output terminals. In this example, the coupling matrix 904 has a size of 4 x 8, so it is possible to make desired connections between four connections shown on the left and eight connections shown on the right.

Coupling matrices of other sizes are of course also possible.

As regards the function of the connection matrix, the mentioned connections are bidirectional, i.e. each of the mentioned four or eight connections can function as an input or output connection as required. In the configuration according to Figure 9, the connections on the right side have in principle been connected in pairs to the devices to be tested, so that the pair's connection as! is at the top of the picture is the input terminal for conducting signals from the apparatus to be tested to the switching matrix 904, and the lower terminal is the output terminal for conducting signals from the switching matrix 904 to the apparatus to be tested.

The top connection on the left side functions in Figure 9 as an input connection for conducting signals from the signal generator 906 to the switching matrix 904, the second top connection functions as an output connection for conducting the signals from the switching matrix 904 to the signal analyzer 907 and the third connection on the left side functions as, input connection from the low noise level carrier 1616. The RF SSU apparatus 903 according to Figure 9 also has a control member 905, which is arranged to control the creation of the couplings in the coupling die 904. The couplings between the control member and The other parts of the RF SSU have been left undrawn in Figure 9, so that the clarity would be preserved. Other advantageous functionalities of the control part 905 are described in more detail below. Figure 9 shows in particular a connection which can be made for the semi-automatic calibration or error correction of the RF SSU. Semi-automation here means that the user's actions are needed to connect certain cables in the correct connections, but then the calibration or error correction can proceed without the user's interaction. Calibration or error correction means measuring the progress of the signal along a certain route through the RF SSU or any of its parts affecting the signal, and storing the information describing this measurement, so that in the testing aimed at the actual device that to be tested can leave the phenomena due to the RF SSU device without attention in a suitable way. a measuring cable for a power meter 910. From the power meter 910 a short range data transfer connection has been created to the control part 905. In Figure 9, this data transfer connection is created along a USB bus, but it could just as well be created in some other way, which is used for short-range data transfer between two electronic devices.

The intention is to make a calibration or error correction regarding the connection from the signal generator 906 to the device shown at the top to be tested.

The power level of the signal transmitted by the signal generator 906 is known or can otherwise be fed into the control part 905, so when measuring with the power meter 910 the power level in the output connection leading to the top apparatus to be tested, one can calculate the attenuation that occurs in RF SSU devices.

Information about the measured power level is automatically transmitted along the short-range data transmission connection described above to the control part 905. 'Similar semi-automatic measurements can be made for any of the RF SSU device's connections, and in the measurements you can of course also use other types of meters than power meter. An advantageous feature of semi-automatic calibration or error correction is that it can be performed instructed by a computer that is temporarily connected to the RF SSU device. Figure 9 has shown an extreme (portable) computer 911, which is typically connected to the control part 905 via some standard bus which regulates data transfer between the computers. The extreme computer can be connected, for example, to a USB connection or to a PC connection built specifically for this use.

To the extreme computer 911 you can install a control program for calibration and error correction, which program contains on the one hand the necessary command routines to control the control part 905 during the calibration and error correction, and on the other hand a necessary user interface, where it can instruct the user to perform the temporary connections required by the calibration and error correction. For example, in the situation of Figure 9, the calibration and error correction control program may instruct the user to disconnect a desired device to be tested, to connect a power meter 910 in its place, to set the signal generator 906 to produce a correct type of test signal, and to press any key or otherwise notify the date, when all these and / or other necessary preparatory actions have been taken. Thereafter, the calibration and error correction control program may notify the control member 905 that calibration and error correction is in progress on the route from a certain input connection to a certain output connection, the control part 905 being able to create a corresponding connection in the connection matrix 904, receive and store measurement information. perform the power meter 910 and, if necessary, perform the assumed smoke functions relating to signal levels and / or attenuations.

With a corresponding principle, it is possible to make all corresponding measurements and measures, which have been described earlier in this description, regarding fully automatic measurement, which is based on the detectors contained in the coupling matrix.

By using a relatively extensive coupling matrix, for example one of size 4 x 8 shown in Figure 9, and by flexible control of the connections, the noticeable advantage is achieved that your (in Figure 9 to four) devices to be tested simultaneously can be connected to the RF SSU. The time of the measuring devices shown on the left in Figure 9 is divided between different devices to be tested so that in a continuous industrial production of devices to be tested a significant degree of use of the measuring devices can be achieved. This is remarkable, because the measuring devices are expensive and the investment benefit from them grows in direct proportion to the degree of use, ie to the part of the time when the measuring device is in useful use and not unused waiting for the next measurement. 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'H4 17 Other advantageous features of the RF SSU apparatus, which have been demonstrated in Figure 9, are an ability to divide the clock signal, the use of an internal signal generator and an internal broadband bms generator. The clock signal divider 912 which the device contains receives from a (typically extreme) clock (not shown in Figure 9) a clock signal, which for example can only be a 10 MHz clock signal led from a GPS receiver. Since in many testing applications it is advantageous to use accurate and directed clock signals with different frequencies, for example to control the measuring devices, the clock signal divider 912 makes the necessary divisions and delivers the obtained reference clock signals to the appropriate output terminals 913. desired measuring device or a device to be tested, for example with an external cable (not shown in Figure 9).

The internal signal generator 914 corresponds to what has been said earlier in this description about the use of an internal signal source in the RF SSU apparatus. Even in the case that the switching matrix 904 does not contain integrated detectors or that one does not want to use them, one can, for example, when testing or calibrating with the internal signal generator 914, produce the necessary pulse signals. Its accuracy and noise characteristics are typically not of the same class as with such an extreme signal generator. which is indicated by reference number 906 in 9 gur 9, so an internal signal generator is typically used when the accuracy requirements of the testing are freer. Inside the RF SSU, there is typically a control circuit, with which the controlling member 901 can control the internal signal generator 914. The output signal of the internal signal generator 914 can be routed either inside the RF SSU to the switching matrix 904, and / or it can be a connector on the outer surface of the apparatus, from which it can be routed, if necessary, with a cable to a desired input terminal leading to the connector array 904 or to the input terminal of any apparatus connected to the RF SSU apparatus. The connections of the internal signal generator 914 have, in order to preserve the graph, the clarity not shown in Figure 9.

An internal broadband noise generator 915 is a kind of specialized internal signal generator. Its use is particularly useful, for example, when you want to test the filtering at the receiver end of the device to be tested or some other function, where the device to be tested must be able to react raw to input signals with certain frequencies. In an exemplary connection, the RF SSU apparatus combines the noise produced by a broadband noise generator 915 with a carrier produced by a low noise carrier 916 generator, from which the test signal to be delivered to the apparatus is obtained. to be tested. An advantage of such an arrangement is that, as the extreme measuring device to be connected to the RF SSU device, one does not need a particularly versatile signal generator, but a low-noise carrier generator is sufficient. To preserve the graphical clarity, the connections in the wide-band noise generator 915 in Figure 9 have not been shown separately.

As an alternative, you can build into the RF SSU device either an internal or an external device implemented in connection with the same device for fully automatic calibration. Automation here means that the calibration or error correction can proceed completely without a user's interaction after the user has started it with some control command or when the starting command has come from a computer program that controls the operation of the RF SSU. In particular, the automation means that the user does not have to carry out any loosening or fixing of cables or other measures that are aimed at the assembly of the device to make the calibration or error correction.

Figure 9 shows, by way of example, an internal automatic calibration unit 917 of an RF SSU device, which may be a separate unit as in the figure or which may be included in the control part 901. The automatic calibration unit has at its disposal the necessary means to make such connections, with which the measurements required by the calibration or error correction are made to be directed to the desired signal paths. In Fig. 9, it has been assumed as an example that from the automatic calibration unit 917 there is a connection to a connection block 918, via which the connections to the devices to be tested are made. When the automatic calibration begins, the calibration unit 917 controls the connection block 918, for example, so that any electronically controllable connection performs a connection between such input and output connections, which would normally lead to any apparatus to be tested. Due to this, the signal, which for example originates from the signal generator 906, is at least not directed to the apparatus to be tested but back via the coupling matrix 904 to the signal analyzer 907, the results of which can be used in calibration or error correction regarding the route the signal travels. Couplings controlled by the automatic calibration unit can of course also be found at other places along the signal route than in the connection block 918.

Figure 9 also shows an example of the principle of chaining RF SSUs. In traditional testing systems, a large amount of testing functions would be concentrated on a certain manufacturing process, as one did not want to conduct signals associated with the testing long distances via the RF cables. With the chain according to Figure 9, you can create a decentralized testing system, where your RF SSU devices participate in the testing. One of them, which is shown in Figure 9 with reference number 903, functions as a master apparatus, and the others in slave position.

Of the latter, Figure 9 shows only very schematically the RF SSU devices 920 and 930. The data transfer between the RF SSU devices takes place via some data transfer bus; Figure 9 shows as an example an RS-485 bus.

To each RF SSU device, the measuring devices needed for the testing that is done at that point have been connected locally. In the same way, each RF SSU device is connected locally to the device to be tested or the devices to be tested, which are within the range administered by the RF SSU device in question. Each RF SSU can have its own sequence memory, from which the step-by-step instructions control the testing performed via the RF SSU in question, or alternatively at least some of the instructions can come via the control bus (here: RS-485 bus) from the master device. The data transmission and interaction between the RF SSUs are controlled in each of them by a PIOC (Parallel Input Output Controller) circuit, of which PIOC circuits 921 and 931 are shown as examples. The PIOC circuit may be the same as the RF SSU - the controlling part of the device, or it may form part of the controlling part of the RF SSU.

Figure 10 shows the principle that information has been stored in the control part of the RF SSU device about the configuration formed by the RF SSU device in question and / or of the external parts connected thereto. In Figure 10, it is assumed that a certain RF SSU device contains a certain signal path, to which belong the internal, electronically controllable components of the RF SSU device, which are other than the coupling matrix couplers. The exemplary signal path has a controllable amplifier 1001, a filter 1002 and a controllable attenuator 1003. These components are presented only as an arbitrary example and thus do not in any way limit how and possibly in what way electronically controllable components any particular RF SSU - device according to the invention contains. In the RF SSU device's PlOC circuit 1004 or at its disposal there is a configuration memory 1005, in which in connection with the production of the RF SSU device information has been stored about the configuration of the RF SSU device in question, especially if the signal paths it contains. In example, information 1006 about the signal path described above has been shown in Figure 10. . In accordance with one aspect of the invention, in response to a control command received by the RF SSU, it is arranged to change a property of the electronic controllable component it contains and store information corresponding to it. the changed property of the configuration memory.

When the test system is assembled, the possible RF SSUs in the slave position deliver their configuration information to the controlling part of the master device, which stores the information about the entire test system configuration. Figure 11 schematically shows the delivery of configuration information 1006 from an RF SSU device 1101 in the slave position to the control part 1103 of a master device 1102.

If you connect a 1104 computer equipped with a suitable program to the testing system, you can view the system's configuration information on its screen.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the system configuration information is displayed graphically on the computer's 1104 screen in the form of a wiring diagram or other suitable diagram, and by selecting a particular component from the diagram, the user is shown a window telling more detailed information about the component in question. The computer 1104 can either be a computer that is temporarily connected to the system on site or it can be connected to the testing system via. a data network or other data transmission connection to which the master apparatus 1102 of the testing system is connected.

Figures 12 and 13 show a principle according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where reconfigurations, which do not require changes in the components or couplings of the iron plane, can be done easily and quickly. It is assumed, for example, that the user wants to change the function of a controllable amplifier on a signal path in an RF SSU device in the slave position so that the value of its controllable property XX becomes YY8 instead of the previous YY1. The user gives the command of this advantageously by entering the new value YY8 in a competent field in the window, which had been opened for the component in question in the diagram presented by the computer 1104. The computer 1004 forwards the new configuration information to the control part 1103 of the master device 1102. It identifies that the changed information applies to the RF SSU 1101 in the slave position, and therefore sends the information 1201 along the RS-485 bus to the competent PIOC circuit 1004. .

According to Figure 13, when the P10C circuit has received the changed information 1201, it stores them in the configuration memory 1005 and transmits a new value YY8 to the controllable amplifier 1001, the change made by the user being carried out in practice on the function of a desired one. signal path requesting 10 15 20 25 30 35 535 'H4 21 controllable amplifier has been changed so that the controllable. the XX value of the property is YYB.

Figure 14 shows a situation where the device configuration of the RF SSU device has changed, for example because the testing needs of the devices to be tested have changed more than could be taken into account simply by programmatically changing the values that affect the function of the old equipment control components. In this exemplary situation, it is assumed that the signal path previously described in this description has now been changed so that the controllable attenuator has been removed and the bandpass filter has been replaced with a low-pass filter. Of course, any configuration change in the RF SSU may be considered, the information corresponding to which must be stored in the test system descriptions. In addition, although the change in this example has been made in an RF SSU apparatus 1401 in the slave position, one could just as well make changes in the master apparatus. In this situation, the change in the device configuration is the first step in the change work, which in Figure 14 has been marked with circled 1-digits. In the upper part of Figure 14 it is shown that as a second step the computer 1104 is used to create a wiring diagram, where the components and their order correspond to the new device configuration and where the values which affect the function of the components are correctly described. This changed information is transmitted to the controlling part 1103 of the master device 1102. In the same way as in the situation above with the changed values of the components, the controlling part 1103 identifies that the changed information applies to the RF SSU device 1101 in slave position, and transmits therefore, the information 1201 along the RS-485 bus to the competent PIOC circuit 1004. The transmission of the information has been illustrated as the third step of the change work.

According to Figure 15, when the PIOC circuit 1004 has received the changed information 1402, it stores it in the configuration memory 1005. The values of the controllable components have been adjustable. to be correct already at the stage when the equipment changes were made, but according to Figure 15, the PIOC circuit 1004 can also transmit authorized guideline values to the controllable components of the signal path, in this case to the controllable amplifier 1001. The function according to Figures 14 and 15 means that change can interrupt real-time information in all parts of the test system about the current configuration and programmatically make changes in the values that affect the function of the controllable components. 535 'H4 22 Above, electronically controllable components have been processed almost exclusively in RF SSU devices in slave position, but it is clear that if the master device has an electronically controllable component other than the coupling matrix coupler, the master device's configuration information has also been stored in its own configuration memory and changes can be made in it in the same way as what has been shown above about the change of configurations and configuration information in the RF SSU device in slave position.

Claims (12)

10 15 20 25 30 535 'H4 23 Patent claims A signal coupling unit (103, 903) for coupling radio frequency signals between an apparatus to be tested (101, 901) and testing apparatus (106, 107, 906, 907, 916), the signal coupling unit having: - a group of input and output terminals ( 201, 202, 918) for conducting the radio frequency signals to and away from the signal switching unit - a switchable matrix (104, 904) provided with controllable couplers for controlled creation of connections between the input and output connections and - a control part (105, 901), which is arranged to control the creation of couplings in the coupling matrix (104, 904); characterized in that - - the signal coupling unit in addition to the coupler of the coupling matrix has an electronically controllable component (1001, 1003); the signal switching unit has a configuration memory (1005), in which information about said electronically controllable component is stored, and - in response to a first control command received by the signal switching unit, the signal switching unit is arranged to change the property of said electronically controllable component and store the information corresponding to the changed the property of the said configuration memory. Signal switching unit according to claim 1, characterized in that in response to a second control command received by the signal switching unit, the signal switching unit is arranged to store the configuration information relating to the changed configuration formed by the components included in the signal switching unit in said configuration memory. in Signal switching unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - in the switching matrix (104) or along a signal path leading to it there are one or two detectors (204, 205) for measuring a signal which is arranged to pass through the switching matrix and said control part (105) is arranged to control the use of the information produced by said detectors (204, 205). Signal coupling unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: - said controlling part (105) is arranged to lead the information produced by the detector (204, 205) out of the signal coupling unit as output information, which is arranged to indicate supply attenuation of a coupling between a certain input and output connection and / or response attenuation of the signal conducted via the connection in question. Signal coupling unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the signal coupling unit has a signal source (301), which is arranged to produce radio frequency test signals and - the control part (105) is arranged to test couplings created in the coupling matrix by coupling the signal produced by said signal source (301) to a coupling created in the coupling matrix. Signal switching unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: - the control part (105) is arranged to protect it. external device connected to the input and / or output connection by preventing the use of such a connection created in the connection matrix. whose testing has shown that none of the properties of the coupling in question are within permissible limits. Signal switching unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the control part has a test sequence memory (303), which is arranged to store machine-lockable instructions (501, 601) in advance of test sequences, and - the control part ( 105) is arranged to read instructions from the test sequence memory (303) and control the function of the signal switching unit to perform a test sequence according to the instructions. 4 Signal coupling unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an output connection (701) for controlling an apparatus (702) which belongs to the testing system but which is extreme in relation to the signal coupling unit, with the commands which from the signal switching unit. Signal coupling unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the signal coupling unit is arranged to control robotics (702) belonging to the testing system via said output connection. Signal coupling unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a signal pretreatment apparatus (811, 812, 813) for pretreating a signal which is connected to the input connection of the signal coupling unit and which can be led from the signal coupling unit to a signal coupling unit. extreme measuring device. 535 'H4 25 Signal switching unit according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a standard type interface for modular addition of different signal pretreatment devices (811, 812, 813) to the signal switching unit. Signal switching unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an electronically controllable filter (821) and / or an amplifier (822), the operating frequency band of which at least one limit is controllable in response to a control command from the control part ( 105).